CREWE and Nantwich booked their place in the semi-final of the Cheshire Plate after a hard-fought win over long-standing rivals Dukinfield.

The hosts were in determined mood as they looked to put last week's dreadful 21-0 defeat to Ashton-on-Mersey behind them.

And they did it in some fashion, disposing of a team which had beaten them on the past four occasions and who are currently plying their trade in the league ab ove.

Stand-in skipper Andy Pemberton said: 'It looked like a completely different team which took to the field on Saturday, we matched them in every area of the pitch.

'The players were confident and fully focused on getting the win. There's a bit of history between the two sides and they pipped us to promotion last year, so they probably felt they could beat us.

'But we knew they would use the strength of their forwards to dominate the game so we restricted them from doing that and their line-out didn't function.'

Dukinfield drew first blood with a penalty kick, but a try from Andre Zwijnen and conversion by Rory Drysdale took the game into half time at 10-10.

Crewe and Nantwich really took the game to the visitors during the second half and Dukinfield struggled to cope with the pace of the home team as they spread the ball around the field.

Liam Sloyan put them into the lead with a try, once again converted by Drysdale, and three penalties for Crewe and Nantwich wrapped up the win.

Man-of-the-match Dave Curry was instrumental along the back row and Mike Parker, in at fly-half, was another top performer.

They now face Euromanx South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three side Ellesmere Port at home on Saturday, April 7.

Pemberton added: 'If we keep playing like we did on Saturday, teams are going to find it difficult to compete with us.

'I'm confident of getting to the final but we need to beat Ellesmere Port first.'

* Crewe and Nantwich travel to Warrington this Saturday in the league and Sandbach, who didn't play at the weekend, look to increase their lead at the top of Midlands Three West (North) when they visit Shrewsbury.